Eibar, Spain - Colombian Nairo Quintana, riding for Katusha, won the fourth stage of the Tour of the Basque country on Thursday, seeing off compatriot Sergio Henao of the Sky team in cold and rainy conditions.
Henao nonetheless retains the overall leader's jersey following the 151.6km stage between Trapagaran and Arrate, which Quintana took in 3hr 58min 52sec.
He crossed the line first after negotiating a furious sprint finish over the final few hundred metres following a stage comprising two first category and three second category climbs.
Henao now has a 6sec advantage over Quintana with Sky's Australian rider Richie Porte third at 10sec along with Spanish star, and two-time Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador.
Friday's penultimate stage is a 166km ride, including 10 climbs, between Eibar and Beasain
Results on Thursday from the fourth stage of the Tour of Basque Country, a 151.6km ride from Trapagaran to Eibar:
1. Nairo Quintana, Colombia, Movistar, 3 hours, 58 minutes, 52 seconds.
2. Sergio Henao, Colombia, Sky, 2 seconds behind.
3. Alberto Contador, Spain, Saxo-Tinkoff, same time.
4. Carlos Betancur, Colombia, AG2R La Mondiale, same time.
5. Simon Spilak, Slovenia, Katusha, same time.
6. Richie Porte, Australia, Sky, same time.
7. Jean-Christophe Peraud, France, AG2R La Mondiale, same time.
8. Pieter Weening, Netherlands, Orica Greenedge, :16.
9. Samuel Sanchez, Spain, Euskatel Euskadi, :23.
10. Alberto Losada, Spain, Katusha, :24.
Overall Standings (After 4 of 6 stages):
1. Sergio Henao, Colombia, Sky, 16 hours, 23 minutes, 20 seconds.
2. Nairo Quintana, Colombia, Movistar, 6 seconds behind.
3. Richie Porte, Australia, Sky, :10.
4. Alberto Contador, Spain, Saxo-Tinkoff, same time.
5. Simon Spilak, Slovenia, Katusha, same time.
6. Carlos Betancur, Colombia, AG2R La Mondiale, :21.
7. Jean-Christophe Peraud, France, AG2R La Mondiale, :26.
8. Pieter Weening, Netherlands, Orica Greenedge, :35.
9. Giampaolo Caruso, Italy, Katusha, same time.
10. Samuel Sanchez, Spain, Euskatel Euskadi, :47.